MORRISVILLE, NY—Meghan Gaffney had little reservation about climbing the 10 kW wind turbine high on a hilltop at the Morrisville State College dairy complex.
“I was a little nervous, but I’ve done this before,” the Sauquoit resident and recent MSC grad said with confidence after she descended the giant structure that pokes 120-feet into the sky.
Gaffney was among employees of United Wind, a leading wind turbine installation company, who participated in tower climb and rescue training, which was offered through Morrisville State College’s Renewable Energy Technology Center (RETC).
Two other MSC alumni also participated in the training for the company:
- Tyler Palmer, of Medina, a 2014 graduate of the renewable energy bachelor degree program
- Alex Fox, of DeRuyter, a 2012 graduate of the renewable energy technology associate degree program
- Gaffney is a 2016 graduate of the renewable energy bachelor degree program.
Training, which was conducted by Ben Ballard, director of the RETC and assistant professor of Renewable Energy, and Phil Hofmeyer, assistant professor of Renewable Energy, included practicing safe climbing and rescue techniques.
Power generated by the college’s 10 kW wind turbine reduces energy costs at the complex and is also used as a real-world laboratory for students. That’s where Palmer, Gaffney and Fox honed some of their skills. “We wanted the experience to help with climbs in case the company needs us,” said Palmer, who was completing his first-ever climb.
Gaffney credits MSC with giving her the skills that landed her a job before she graduated in May.
“Within the last months of school, six different companies came to our class looking for employees based on the reputation this program has,” she said. “We got a lot of real-life practice that you wouldn’t get anywhere else, especially in this field. Between the class time and hands-on experience, there is nothing like this,” she added about the college’s renewable energy programs.
The RETC is an alliance of employers, training providers, economic development partners, and K-12 schools that addresses long-term and short-term needs of New York State's renewable energy sector. Course curricula are based upon employer-identified skill gaps and needs. It provides technical short courses for individuals seeking marketable skills in renewable energy fields.
The RETC was established in 2008 with support from a $2 million grant awarded under the President's Community-Based Job Training Grants, as implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
Morrisville State College’s curricula are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at both the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. An action-oriented, interactive learning lab, the college is a national leader in technology and has been lauded for its exemplary, innovative and effective community service programs.
The college was ranked among the Best Regional Colleges in the North by U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges 2016 issue and was also recognized in the Top Public Schools, Regional Colleges North in the 2016 Best Colleges rankings.